Moods, Feelings & Emotions

The Natural Way to Treat Depression

Puri, B.K.

There’s a lot of criticism of current methods of treating depression. 

There are three main kinds of antidepressants, all of which have their own problems. The oldest kind, called tricyclics, such as amitriptyline (Tryptizol) and imipramine (Tofranil) commonly cause drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, sweating, dizziness and blurred vision.

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Seroxat) and can cause headaches, nervousness, insomnia, anxiety, nausea, diarrhoea and reduced libido. They are also addictive and cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as constant agitation, sleeplessness and nightmares.

Finally, the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine sulphate (Parnate), have fewer side effects but can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure if taken with foods containing the amino acid tyramine, such as cheese, or with decongestants or antihistamines.

We aren’t making medical claims and we aren’t knocking these medicines but we’ve noticed that some people have benefitted from other protocols too.  Exercise has been shown to be as effective in combatting mild to moderate depression as SSRIs and some evidence exists that fish oil fatty acids can be beneficial too.  This book expands on the latter.

Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World

Williams, M. & Penman, D.

This one includes a free CD and guided meditations as well.  It’s also great as an audiobook. MINDFULNESS reveals a set of simple yet powerful practices that can be incorporated into daily life to help break the cycle of unhappiness, stress, anxiety and mental exhaustion and promote genuine joie de vivre. It’s the kind of happiness that gets into your bones. It seeps into everything you do and helps you meet the worst that life can throw at you with new courage. The book is based on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). MBCT revolves around a straightforward form of mindfulness meditation which takes just a few minutes a day for the full benefits to be revealed. MBCT has been clinically proven to be at least as effective as drugs for depression and it is recommended by the UK’s National Institute of Clinical Excellence – in other words, it works. More importantly, it also works for people who are not depressed but who are struggling to keep up with the constant demands of the modern world. MINDFULNESS focuses on promoting joy and peace rather than banishing unhappiness. It’s precisely focused to help ordinary people boost their happiness and confidence levels whilst also reducing anxiety, stress and irritability

The Art of Meditation

Ricard, M.

From a really interesting author:  part scientist and part Buddhist monk.  Endless wisdom.

Towards a Psychology of Being

Maslow, A.

The 1962 classic.  Still as relevant as ever. There’s a strong argument that we need more “being” and less doing in order to stay resilient.  We are more than our most recent achievements!

The Mindful Manifesto …

Halliwell, E. and Heaversedge, J.

We’ve been to one of Ed’s workshops and it was rather good.  This is an interesting team effort with a medical doctor.  Well worth a read.

Wherever You Go, There You Are

Kabat-Zin, J.

Want to get into mindfulness?  This is a great start.  From one of the world’s leading experts.  Solid, scientific and essentially human.

Human Givens: The New Approach to Emotional Health and Clear Thinking

Griffin, T. et al

We like Human Givens!  This is a school of therapy that’s really accessible and makes some fundamental points about how the stressed mind works (or rather, doesn’t).  Recognise that you have some essential human needs and that a lot of unhappiness and stress arises from them simply not being met.  Also, recognise that clear thinking requires a calm state of mind.

Cognitive Behavioural Coaching Techniques for Dummies

Whitten, H.

An interesting take on CBT and how this powerful technique can be used in the Mind part of the Mind Body Balance equation!

Resilience

Webb, L.

A light read and with some useful resources. Easy to digest; an anecdotal and practical guide with lots of common sense advice from a “happiness guru”. 

Emotional Intelligence: Why it Can Matter More Than IQ

Daniel Goleman

In some ways this was the book that kicked off the whole EI debate: the groundbreaking bestseller that redefined intelligence and success. Does IQ define our destiny? Daniel Goleman argues that our view of human intelligence is far too narrow, and that our emotions play a major role in thought, decision making and individual success. Self-awareness, impulse control, persistence, motivation, empathy and social deftness are all qualities that mark people who excel: whose relationships flourish, who are stars in the workplace. With new insights into the brain architecture underlying emotion and rationality, Goleman shows precisely how emotional intelligence can be nurtured and strengthened in all of us.

The EQ Edge, Third Edition: Emotional Intelligence and Your Success

Steven J. Stein

Authors Steven J. Stein and Howard E. Book show you how the dynamic of emotional intelligence works. By understanding EQ, you can build more meaningful relationships, boost your confidence and optimism, and respond to challenges with enthusiasm–all of which are essential ingredients of success.

The EQ Edge offers fascinating–and sometimes surprising–insights into what it takes to be a top law–enforcement officer, lawyer, school principal, student, doctor, dentist or CEO. You will learn what the top EQ factors are across many different kinds of jobs, from business managers and customer service representatives to HR professionals and public servants.

How to Deal with Difficult People

Gill Hasson

Whether it’s a manager who keeps moving the goal posts, an uncooperative colleague, negative friend, or critical family member, some people are just plain hard to get along with.

Often, your immediate response is to shrink or sulk, become defensive or attack. But there are smarter moves to make when dealing with difficult people. This book explains how to cope with a range of situations with difficult people and to focus on what you can change.

The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level

Gay Hendricks

In The Big Leap, Gay Hendricks, the New York Times bestselling author of Five Wishes, demonstrates how to eliminate the barriers to success by overcoming false fears and beliefs. Fans of Wayne Dyer, Eckhart Tolle, Marianne Williamson, and The Secret will find useful, effective tips for breaking down the walls to a better life in The Big Leap.

Ultimate Confidence: The Secrets to Feeling Great About Yourself Every Day

Marisa Peer

Marisa Peer’s tried and tested programme is an effortless way to maximise your potential and overhaul your whole outlook on life for the better. Her powerful hypnotic language and effective techniques mean that just reading the book enables you to change negative thought patterns and break harmful habits that have been holding you back without you knowing it.

Kids and Co.

Ros Jay

This author tried applying business principles to childcare in an amusing and thoughtful way.  The result is something that just might boost your resilience.

Affluenza

Oliver James

An interesting spin from Oliver James:  just what is it that makes otherwise successful people so unhappy?  Is there a malevolent side to having a lot of personal drive?  When is enough, enough?

Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes

William Bridges

It’s really important that you understand that the process of personal change has some distinct tasks and steps.  This book describes them very clearly.

How to Develop Emotional Health – School of Life series

Oliver James

Outlining the five elements of good emotional health – insightfulness, a strong sense of self, fluid relationships, authenticity and playfulness in our approach to life – James offers strategies for optimising each characteristic to live more fulfilling lives. Helping us to understand the impact our emotional baggage has on our daily interactions, he reveals how to overcome unhelpful patterns and become more self-aware – revitalising our approach to life.

An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth

Chris Hadfield

Colonel Chris Hadfield has spent decades training as an astronaut and has logged nearly 4,000 hours in space. During this time he has broken into a Space Station with a Swiss army knife, disposed of a live snake while piloting a plane, been temporarily blinded while clinging to the exterior of an orbiting spacecraft, and become a YouTube sensation with his performance of David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’ in space. The secret to Chris Hadfield’s success – and survival – is an unconventional philosophy he learned at NASA: prepare for the worst – and enjoy every moment of it.

Self Compassion

Kristin Neff

Self Compassion offers a powerful solution for combating the current malaise of depression, anxiety and self criticism that comes with living in a pressured and competitive culture.

The Psychology of Fear in Organanisations

Sheila Keegan

This book shows how fear manifests itself in large organisations, how it impacts on the workforce and how by reducing our willingness to take risks and to innovate, it can inhibit economic growth and innovation, at both an individual and corporate level. The book contains several quotes from Chris Welford.

The Happiness Trap

Russ Harris

Popular ideas about happiness are misleading, inaccurate, and are directly contributing to our current epidemic of stress, anxiety and depresssion. And unfortunately, popular psychological approaches are making it even worse. In this controversial, but empowering self-help book, Dr Russ Harries, reveals how millions of people are unwittingly caught in the ‘The Happiness Trap’, where the more they strive for happiness the more they suffer in the long term

Happiness by Design: Finding Pleasure and Purpose in Everyday Life

Paul Dolan

As a Professor of Behavioural Science at the London School of Economics, Dolan conducts original research into the measurement of happiness and its causes and consequences, including the effects of our behaviour. Here he creates a new outlook on the pursuit of happiness – it’s not just how you feel, it’s how you act

Resilience

Liggy Webb

Thriving on Pressure

Graham Jones

The Mindful Manifesto – How doing less and noticing more can help us thrive in a stressed-out world

Dr Jonty Heaversedge& Ed Halliwell

A New Earth

Eckhart Tolle

The Power of Now

Eckhart Tolle

Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill

Matthieu Ricard

More from the scientist-monk.  One of the most interesting commentators in his field today.

There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk: The Romance of Self-Discovery

Portia Nelson

Happiness – Lessons from a New Science

Richard Layard

An Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Skills and Applications

David Westbrook & Helen Kennerley

The Chimp Paradox

The Chimp Paradox

Want help managing your “inner chimp”?  Remember s/he is five time stronger than the human part of you, so you need to learn some techniques!

Visual CBT

Avy Joseph & Maggie Chapman

The Feeling Good Handbook

David D Burns

Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think

Aaron T Beck

Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders

Aaron T. Beck

Overcoming Low Self-Esteem: A Self-Help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioural Techniques

Dr Melanie Fennell

Essentials of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Sonja V. Batten

Act Made Simple

Russ Harris